With the conclusion of the Phantom of the Opera presentation its time to focus on planned upgrades in the studio. The process has begun.

Most changes seem to involve removing the old to make way for the new so that’s the first step. With the Tascam analog console gone, we’re looking at some cables dating back around 30 years. These will take time to pull out and disconnect from the patchbays. The studio hub used to be the console and the associated patchbays, but with the advent of digital consoles and DAW-based recording much of that type of interconnect is no longer needed. So I’ll be paring it down to the basics and utilizing the Behringer X-32 Rack console as the “patchbay” and interface to the DAW. The outboard mic preamps will still be used extensively, but their route to the new recording platform will be through the Behringer. In the interim the studio is running in a hybrid mode with the old system still doing the recording, but routing the headphone system feeds through the new console. Even after the new system is fully functional, the plan is to retain the old system so prior projects can be restored and not made obsolete. There’s over 20 years of those in digital format so it’s important to have the ability to go back. But in the meantime, there’s still a lot to do.

As we’re all well aware these past 12 months have brought unprecedented change to all our lives. From country to business and personal life no aspect has been immune from the effects of COVID-19. Just yesterday I spoke to a client whose business is providing live business meetings and conventions. They haven’t done one of those for a year. However, they were able to reshape what they do, maintain their business and all staff. Not everyone has been so blessed. My work for that client means that both last year and this current one, the event I provide live sound engineering for did not happen. Many other vendors related to this and a myriad of other events they normally would have on their calendar are at a minimum much less busy, or at worst actually idled. I have been fortunate to have an on-going project (which is very nearly completed) that has kept me quite busy these past two years.

The toll on personal life is also very real. Some have lost loved ones and friends directly to the virus, or are continuing to find relationships strained and literally distanced as this time marches on. The knuckle bump just doesn’t cut it, and many of us are feeling the awkwardness and lack of connection. My own extended family has been unable to have a Christmas gathering due to other health issues in 2019 and then the virus concerns this past December. Some of my relatives’ kids I will hardly recognize when we finally get to see each other.

However, there’s always light when we keep our focus in the right places. Vaccines are here, businesses in many aspects are making significant comeback, and in spite of all the “downers” we still have much to be thankful for. At the end of the day, the real answers come from the One who cares about each of us and every aspect of our lives. He’s still on the throne. It never hurts to add a bit of color to a long white winter either, so my wife and I have made it a habit for many years to have an amaryllis flower come to life during this season and be encouraged by the promise of color and warmth around the corner.